Announcements

  • JATCSF Scholarship

    The Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California (JCCSC) is now accepting applications for Japanese American Treaty… »
  • Funeral Ritual & Oshoko

    New pages on the Jodo Shinshu Funeral Ritual and Oshoko have been added to the About Buddhism section of the VHBT web site. It… »
  • ABA Country-Style Breakfast

    The Venice Hongwanji A.B.A. is sponsoring their 32nd Annual Country Style Breakfast on Sunday, April 22, 2012, from 7:00 a.m.… »
  • Venice Japanese American Memorial Marker

    The Venice Japanese American Memorial Marker Committee (VJAMM) will be holding a commemoration ceremony on Wednesday, April… »
  • 26 Beach

    Sushi & Traditional Burgers To celebrate the Three Treasures, the Venice Hongwanji Buddhist Temple has three restaurant… »

Dharma School

Description/History

In 1955, Venice Hongwanji Dharma School activities were established. Reverend Shoki Mohri from the Betsuin with the assistance of Mrs. Sumiye Watari gathered twelve students at the Fukushima residence for the first service. The first Dharma School Superintendent was Walter Kitagawa. Throughout the years, Dharma School locations have changed from the original temple, to the Venice Japanese Community Center (during the time of renovation), and then back to the temple site.

Dharma School classes are held weekly following Sunday morning services for students ranging from pre-school through high school age. There is also a Buddhist Education Committee that holds Buddhist education sessions for adults.

Membership Information:

To enroll Dharma School, just visit us at the temple for Dharma School service beginning at 9:30 AM on Sundays. (Please refer to the Dharma School Calendar for a detailed schedule.) Ask for the superintendent or any Dharma School teacher to assist you.

2011-2012 Dharma School Class Assignments:

Grade Teacher Location
Preschool Mie Ino
Gail Yoneda
Katie Rosengrant
Lobby
Kinder/1st/2nd Julia Ueda
Judy Hopfield
Tyson Amano
Social Hall
3rd/4th Jayme Heyl
Kelsey Ueda
Back of Hondo
5th/6th Janis Ozaki
Brett Morimoto
Back of Hondo
7th/8th Emily Kariya Side Room
High School Richard Modiano Side Room-1st Sunday

 

Basic Curriculum Overview

“Namo Amida Butsu”
~Thank You For Saving Me~

Grade: Topics:
Preschool/Kindergarten * Introduction to gratitude.
1st/2nd * Continuation of gratitude.
* Amida embraces all of us.
3rd/4th * Introduction to the concept of suffering.
* Introduction to the 18th primal vow.
5th/6th * 4 Noble Truths
* 8 Fold Path
* 6 Paramitas
7th/8th (Middle School) * 18th Primal Vow
* Life of Shinran Shonin
* Rennyo Shonin
9th-12th (High School) * Nichijoseikatsu (Everyday Living)

DHARMA SCHOOL CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Please see the Temple Calendar for the most up to date Dharma School happenings!

Date Event Time MC/Oshoko Rep
January
8th Staff Meeting (5th/6th)
Dharma School Service and Class
8:00 am
9:30 am
5th/6th
15th Dharma School Service and Class 9:30 am High School
22nd Hoonko Service @ Gardena Buddhist Church 9:30 am Oshoko: Super.
29th Dharma School Service and Class 9:30 am 7th/8th
February
5th Staff Meeting (7th/8th)
Scout Sunday Service and Class
8:00 am
9:30 am
Preschool
12th Dharma School Service and Class 9:30 am Kinder/1st/2nd
19th Dharma School Service and Class 9:30 am 3rd/4th
26th Dharma School Service and Class 9:30 am 5th/6th
March
4th Staff Meeting (High School/Support Staff)
Dharma School Service
NO CLASS (Sushi Sale)
8:00 am

9:30 am

 

7th/8th

11th Dharma School Service and Class 9:30 am High School
18th DS Breakfast
Dharma School Service and Class
8:00 am
9:30 am
Preschool
25th Spring Ohigan & Group Class 10:00am Oshoko: K/1st/2nd
April
1st Staff Meeting (Preschool)
Dharma School Service and Class
8:00 am
9:30 am
3rd/4th
8th Hanamatsuri/ Hatsumairi Service (Bukkyokai) 10:00am Oshoko: 5th/6th
15th Dharma School Service and Class 9:30 am 7th/8th
22nd Dharma School Service
NO CLASS (ABA Breakfast)
9:30 am High School
29th Dharma School Service and Class 9:30 am Preschool
May
6th Staff Meeting (Kinder/1st/2nd)
Dharma School Service and Class
8:00 am
9:30 am
Kinder/1st/2nd
13th Mother’s Day Service, Group Class & Lunch 10:00am 3rd/4th
20th Gotanye Service (Bukkyokai) 10:00am Oshoko: 7th/8th
27th Memorial Day – No Service & Class
June
3rd Staff Meeting (3rd/4th)
Dharma School Service and Class
8:00 am
9:30 am
5th/6th
10th Dharma School Service and Class
DS Picnic
9:30 am
11:30am
High School
17th Dads & Grads Service & Group Class 10:00am Preschool
24th VJCC Natsumatsuri – No Service & Class
July
1st Staff Meeting (5th/6th)
Pet Memorial Service and Class
8:00 am
9:30 am
Kinder/1st/2nd
8th Obon/Hatsubon Service (Bukkyokai) 10:00am Oshoko: 3rd/4th
15th Obon Festival – No Service & Class
22nd DS Breakfast
Dharma School “Kids’ Service” & Class
8:00 am
9:30 am
 
5th/6th
29th LABCC Camp – No Service & Class